IGNITION TROUBLE DERAILS SHELDON CREED’S STRONG PHOENIX RUN, SHAKES UP CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE
No. 00 Ollie's Chevrolet Shows Race-Winning Speed Before Mechanical Setback; Creed Remains Determined With Three Races Remaining
AVONDALE, Ariz. (October 18, 2026) — Sheldon Creed entered Saturday night's Timberland PRO 200 at Phoenix Raceway leading the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship and looked poised for another strong run before an unexpected ignition issue turned a promising evening into a frustrating 32nd-place finish.
Driving the No. 00 Ollie's Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team, Creed qualified fourth and quickly joined the frontrunners. He led eight laps and finished second in the opening stage, earning nine valuable championship points while demonstrating the speed needed to challenge eventual race winner Jesse Love.
However, during the caution period following Stage 1, Creed shut off his engine to conserve fuel, a routine practice under caution. When he attempted to restart the Chevrolet, the engine failed to fire.
After several unsuccessful attempts to restore power, including assistance from teammate Sam Mayer, Creed was pushed back to pit road, where crew chief Jonathan Toney and the Haas Factory Team worked to diagnose the problem.
The team eventually restored power, but the delay cost Creed three laps and effectively eliminated his opportunity to compete for the victory.
"Our car was really fast, especially after we got to work on it that first run," Creed told NASCAR.com following the race.
A Strong Car, An Unfortunate Setback
Despite the mechanical interruption, Creed and his team refused to give up. Once back on track, the No. 00 Chevrolet continued to run competitively, allowing Creed to recover one of his lost laps and complete 198 of the scheduled 200 laps.
Toney confirmed the problem appeared to involve the ignition system and said the team would investigate the exact cause when they returned to the shop. Fortunately, the issue did not return after the engine restarted.
However, the lack of additional cautions limited Creed's chances to regain his remaining laps.
The disappointing result was particularly difficult considering the strength of Creed's championship campaign. He opened the Chase with victories at Darlington Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, along with a runner-up finish at World Wide Technology Raceway.
A third-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway the previous weekend kept him atop the championship standings heading into Phoenix.
Championship Battle Far From Over
Creed entered Saturday's race with a two-point advantage over Love. After Love's victory and Creed's mechanical troubles, the standings shifted dramatically, dropping Creed to fourth and 59 points behind the new championship leader.
While the setback creates a significant challenge, Creed remains focused on the opportunities ahead.
"Yeah, just move on," Creed told NASCAR.com when asked about regrouping. "I mean, it's Talladega, so anything can happen. Martinsville, we've been pretty decent at over the years, and Homestead, I know we'll be good."
Toney shares that determination, emphasizing that the team's Phoenix performance showed they have the speed to compete for wins in the remaining three races.
With Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway still on the schedule, the championship picture remains unsettled.
Creed and the Haas Factory Team now turn their attention to Talladega, where superspeedway racing can dramatically change the standings.
The Progress Group 250 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on The CW. Martinsville follows on October 31, ahead of the November 7 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
For Creed, Phoenix's frustration will motivate him as he looks to capitalize on the speed and determination that carried the No. 00 team to the championship lead earlier this season.
About Sheldon Creed
Sheldon Creed is a professional NASCAR driver competing in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for Haas Factory Team, driving the No. 00 Chevrolet. A native of Alpine, California, Creed is the 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and has established himself as a competitive force in NASCAR's national touring series. With a racing background that includes championship success in off-road competition and stock car racing, Creed is recognized for his aggressive driving style, versatility and determination. In 2026, he continues to pursue his first NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.
About Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is one of America's largest retailers of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, offering customers brand-name products at discounted prices. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ollie's operates hundreds of stores across the United States, featuring household goods, food, flooring, toys, books and seasonal merchandise. Known for its slogan, "Good Stuff Cheap," Ollie's maintains an active motorsports presence through its sponsorship of Sheldon Creed and the Haas Factory Team.
For more information, visit www.ollies.com.
About the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series
The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series is one of NASCAR's three national touring series and serves as a proving ground for emerging drivers and established competitors. Featuring a diverse schedule of superspeedways, short tracks, intermediate ovals, and road courses, the series provides highly competitive racing while developing talent for NASCAR's premier level. O'Reilly Auto Parts became the series' entitlement sponsor beginning with the 2026 season.
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